"Seems like you haven't been taught a proper lesson. How dare you provoke me," Lucian said. Did he call that a lesson? Calista rose from the couch angrily. "Sure, I have the right to provoke you. Someone here right now couldn't even please me in bed!" Calista was certain Lucian wouldn't do anything to her. After all, she had lived like a widow throughout their three-year marriage!She had tried different tactics to save their marriage, but he always responded disdainfully. He must have been driven by alcohol earlier, which led to their intimacy. And now he was all cold and distant again. He had most likely sobered up. "Leave fast if you're going!" Calista demanded. She then turned and headed for the guest room on the second floor. She had become sober after a series of events. She forced herself to shower. She heard a car leaving after she was done. She knew where Lucian was going. When he pinned her down earlier, she felt his phone vibrate in his pocket more than once
Lucian's expression remained unreadable. Evidence of cheating? Hah, such audacious thoughts! "I was just waiting here for Ms. Scott. I never intended to harm her ..." "Did you capture anything?" "No, Mrs. Northwood wanted bed photos. She said she wanted to destroy your reputation and planned to share the pictures online to ruin Ms. Scott." Lucian remained calm. But his anger started to show. The commotion attracted hotel security. When they arrived, Lucian had already released the man from his grip. "Take this person to the police station," he instructed. The security team promptly escorted the man away. Lucian called David and explained what had happened. He then instructed David to handle the situation.He turned to Lily and said, "The stalker was arrested. You can relax now." Lily raised her chin. She was not ready to let it go. "So, what about Calista? She sent someone to stalk me. She even attempted to take private photos of me and shared them online. That's illega
Inside the police station, four people sat across from each other at a long desk. The head officer was recording statements. He asked, "Who started the physical fight?"They had already reviewed the surveillance footage. The interview was merely part of the standard investigation procedure.All of them were visibly injured, especially Lily. Her cheeks were covered in red handprints, and her hair was messy. People wouldn't think she was an international ballerina if they hadn't checked her ID.Queenie pointed at Yara, who still looked messy from the fight. "She's the one who pushed Lily first, officer. People like her should be behind bars for a decade or even two. Who knows when they might snap again if allowed to roam freely!"Yara retorted with her head held high. "I'm simply eliminating a troublemaker from society. In ancient times, someone as shameless as her would face severe consequences!""Shameless?"Lily glanced at Calista skeptically, who hadn't sustained significant in
As night fell, Calista grabbed a taxi to Everglade Manor. She had thought of discussing matters with Lucian over the phone. However, he hadn't been answering her calls for some reason.She wasn't sure if Lucian would be in Everglade Manor. He had rarely been there in recent years. Despite three years of marriage, she never fit into his social circle. She had no choice but to wait, hoping he would eventually be there.Upon arrival, Calista looked at the villa. It was enveloped in darkness. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to go inside.She opened the door and flicked the light switch on the wall. The living room instantly flooded with bright light. And there Lucian was, relaxing on the couch with his head tilted back.Lucian furrowed his brows and raised a hand to shield his eyes. His tone was irritable as he ordered, "Turn off the lights."Calista hadn't expected him to be here. After all, Lily had gone through such a distressing experience today. Calista was prepared to
Lucian was irritated by Calista's current cold expression. She was truly daring to threaten him like this.Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away.At the self-checkout counter, Calista leaned over the cart to organize them on the counter. Lucian stood to the side with his arms crossed. He didn't look like he was going to help her at all.Calista ignored him. She didn't need his help to scan the products. It was only during payment that she glanced at him sideways. She noticed his gaze was on nearby displayed condoms.Her tone was frosty as she spat, "Pervert."Lucian hadn't been thinking about condoms, or at least not just then. His glance had simply landed on them on the shelf."Pervert?" Lucian scoffed. He studied her expression before continuing, "If showing an interest in these qualifies me as a pervert, then aren't you the bigger pervert? All I did was look at them. But you bought multiple boxes to keep at home."Lucian's words were enough to garner th
Lucian frowned. "You're overthinking it. There's a crucial upcoming project at Northwood Corporations. "The person in charge thinks highly of those with happy and harmonious families. So, if we divorce now, it might take me longer to secure the collaboration."Calista had only asked him to provoke him. Yet, his indifferent reply still stirred her heart."We got married in secret. Not many people know that we're married," Calista argued."Yes, but some people are aware. If the truth about us reaches the person in charge, then it wouldn't be worth it for me to divorce you."As Lucian explained this to Calista, he carried her to the second floor. From her vantage point, she could only see the sharp line of his jaw. It was reminiscent of when she was in bed with him at the hotel. He appeared just as cold, arrogant, and domineering.He brought her to the room, and an all too familiar sight greeted her. To everyone else, Everglade Manor was elusive and grand. But to Calista, this wa
Calista waited for a reply but didn't get one. She glanced at her unfinished work on the table and snapped, "Well? If you're not going to speak, I'll hang up."Lucian had been considering explaining his mistaken call, but her impatience irritated him. So, he changed his mind and stated, "Pick me up at the Luminary Lounge."Calista frowned before replying, "Are you insane? You want me to pick you up?"She had done it before when she was his assistant, picking him up after he got very drunk. She called him then to ask him when he was going home.That day, David was the one who picked up the phone. He also knew about her relationship with Lucian, so he told her that he was drunk and even asked her to pick him up.Back then, Lucian used to be constantly annoyed with her. So, when he saw her coming to pick him up, he lost his temper despite being drunk. Even David couldn't escape his wrath and was reprimanded, his yearly bonus cut.As a result, no matter how drunk Lucian got afterward
Alcohol dripped down Lucian's face, an unusual sight given his usual grace. It was unexpected to see him in such a state. His lips formed a tight line, and his fury was palpable. Calista was not intimidated by him at all. She simply cast a glance at him and left without another word. Cade couldn't help but express his exasperation. Only Calista would dare to splash alcohol on Lucian."I pray that Ms. Everhart can outrun Lucian," Cade mumbled under his breath.Lucian caught sight of Cade, dry despite being near Calista during the incident. He retorted coldly, "I hope you lose your voice."Cade immediately fell silent. Lucian ignored him and headed straight toward Calista.Lucian was tall with extremely long legs. He moved to catch up with Calista at a leisurely pace. People instinctively lowered their heads in submission as he passed.Calista waited by the elevator. She wasn't sure if it was bad luck or her imagination, but the elevator seemed slower than usual.As she debat
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam Cameron…" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's company…Given the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptions—she was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
With Cade covering Cameron's mouth, there was no chance for her pointed words to offend anyone in the room. His palm was cool to the touch. It was a sensation she disliked. So, she couldn't help but tilt her head.When Cade noticed her movements, he gently stroked her cheek as if he were calming a child who was throwing a tantrum.Victor spent years in a position of authority, giving him an air of unspoken authority. His gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched Cade. "Cade, don't jeopardize the long-standing relationship between our families over a woman.""If that's how you see it." Cade glanced at the door. "Aren't you doing the same for a woman?"Victor snorted contemptuously. "How can a cheap girl who was merely adopted be worth anything compared to Mirabelle?""How is my daughter, a Yorksworth, worth any less than yours?" Blaire stood at the doorway as she took in the occupants of the home with her sharp gaze. She had been feeling restless ever sin
Mirabelle frowned. "Excuse me?"As soon as she finished speaking, Cameron walked up to her, grabbed her by her hair, and forcefully bent her over.Cameron held up the guest list Monica had sent her and shoved it in Mirabelle's face. "Call them. Tell them to be there by 3:00 p.m., or else…"She tightened her grip threateningly. "You can kiss this head of hair goodbye."Mirabelle pressed down on her scalp where it had been pulled, her voice distorted with pain when she spoke."Let go, Cameron! Are you out of your mind?""Didn't I tell you not to involve anyone else in our feud?""Can't take it anymore?"Mirabelle endured the pain of turning her head to flash a disdainful sneer at Cameron."This is just the appetizer. If you go against me, you'll eventually crawl out of Capeton with your tail between your legs. I'll call your business partner right now and pin the catastrophic failure of this event on you…"Seeing Mirabelle's condescending expression brought Cameron back to the
The kiss lifted the dark cloud that hung over Cade's mood over the past few days.The next day, as Fabian brought in documents for him to sign, Cade asked, "When is Cameron's show?"Fabian was taken aback for a split second but quickly replied. Fortunately, he was well-prepared and kept track of Cameron's events for the year in advance."Has the invitation been delivered?"Fabian swallowed, almost wanting to laugh to mock Cade. Given Cade's strained relationship with his wife, Cameron would sooner invite a dog than have him around. However, all Fabian could do was revel in Cade's misery in his mind while keeping a businesslike facade."It was probably already delivered. The front desk brought in a stack of mail yesterday. I haven't sorted it out yet."He had already sorted out the mail this morning. Everything had gone straight to the trash."Clear my schedule for the day. Make reservations at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner.""Yes, sir."On the day of the show, Monica
That was obviously an excuse to get Cade out of the picture. Knowing what Mirabelle had done to Cameron in the past, leaving the two of them alone was out of the question. Besides, it wasn't convenient for him to move the car, so he refused without a second thought."Get the attendant—"However, Cameron cut him off before he could finish."Ms. Ackerman is a guest. You should fulfill her requests if she has any."Cade cast her a cold glance. "Shut up." Why should he dance to Mirabelle's tune?Cameron stared at him. "Run along."He gritted his teeth as rage crossed his face. After a brief pause, he sneered and turned to leave. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mirabelle's calm expression slipped. "Did you make me come here just to show off how much you two love each other?""You call that love? I think we have different definitions of what 'love' is then. He's nothing more than…" Cameron's fingers lightly traced the cup's rim as she smirked and said, "A lap dog.""You fu
Cameron crossed her arms over her chest and gave the bouquet in Cade's hands a nonchalant glance."What are you trying to pull, Mr. Carter?""Fabian said it was Women's Day today.""So what?"There was silence all around. The sound of soothing music could be heard through the door. Cade was silent for a while. "We're not getting a divorce, Cameron."It was the same old topic that Cameron had grown too weary of. She turned around and felt for the cigarette box on the table. There was already a layer of cigarette butts in the ashtray next to it. Judging by the color of the lipstick marks, more than half of them were hers.Cade frowned. He clearly disapproved of her smoking but kept himself from stopping her.Smoke curled from between her lips. The flickering embers of the cigarette reflected in her eyes, softening her indifferent gaze. Through the thin haze, Cameron's lips curled into a wide, unrestrained smile. Every time she smiled in this way, it always filled Cade with a
Cade began unbuckling his belt as he spoke. When it came to this sort of thing, men often had a strong sense of competition, especially in the presence of a woman they were interested in."Such a dark atmosphere isn't right for our situation."Cameron didn't like him to begin. In such a dark atmosphere, there was no telling what kind of grotesque creature she might imagine him to be. It would be strange if she felt attraction for him.She leveled a steady stare at him. Cade's shirt was half undone, showing his tense muscles underneath. Under the influence of alcohol, his skin took on a faint reddish hue. There was a heart-pounding tension in the air as if something was about to ignite. Occasionally, his slightly heavy breaths could be heard."You haven't been working out recently, have you?" Cameron asked.Cade was confused.Cameron pressed her hand against his chest, right below his ribs, and gave it a little push. After a moment, she commented, "Your muscles are a little soft